NDIS Worker Screening Check & How to apply for it: Here’s A Guide!

Everyone working for a registered NDIS provider and in ‘risk-assessed roles’ must undergo the NDIS Worker Screening Check or NDISWSC. The only way to get the NDIS worker screening check is to apply through the state’s designated worker screening unit. However, the application process will vary according to your locality. Anyone who wants to work for registered NDIS providers in assessed roles should have an NDIS clearance. These people include:

• Volunteer workers
• Workers who engage through 3rd parties like labour-hire agencies,
• Sole traders who are both providers and workers.
• Volunteers in risk-assessed roles to qualify for volunteer fee waivers.

Information for the application (NDIS screening check)

While going through the NDIS screening check, you will need to present your provider’s details. For instance, your provider is NDSP Plan Managers, then your application will be attached to our company. However, it’s important to remember that you are an independent entity, and all documents or checks you might need to get won’t be directly attached to the provider.

What you’ll need:

• An account for MyServiceNSW
• Four identity documents:
• Australian passport
• Australian driver’s license
• Medicare card
• Utility bills like electricity, mobile phone or water

How to apply for a NDIS worker screening check?

To apply for the NDISWC, do the following.

• Sign in or register to your service account
• Verify your identity
• Provide your identification documents for a police check and any background check
• Provide your work info; you need a provider ID of the person or company you seek the NDIS check for.
• Review and offer consent for the checks
• Pay for the application

You’ll need to have your NDIS screening check application verified by the provider who offers NDIS plan management. This is the individual or company you have named in your application. After application verification, the NDIS worker screening unit will evaluate the application.

Then, the worker’s screening unit will send you an email confirming the receipt of your application, and they will explain the next steps. Make sure the email address you provide during the application process is correct.

Getting the application verified

Your NDISWC application should be verified by the individual or company you want to work for. If you want to work with us, your application should be verified. Apart from that, your employer can be:

• A self-managed NDIS participant
• An unregistered provider
• An NDIS-registered provider

You need an employer/provider ID. If the employer doesn’t verify the application, it will be rejected.

The participant or provider you want to nominate will have gotten their unique ID while registering on the NDIS worker screening database. This will be:

• A Registration ID for an NDIS registered provider
• An Employer ID for an unregistered NDIS provider
• A Participant WS ID for a self-managed NDIS participant

If the application is accepted, you’ll need to look up and choose your provider by using their worker screening ID. You might ask your participant or provider for their worker screening ID. If you’re working for a self-managed provider, you’ll need to search for them by the participant’s surname.

After completing the application, the participant or provider you choose will get a notification from the NDIS commission telling them they need to verify your application. The application will be withdrawn if they fail to verify.

What you’ll need to apply

For the application process, you’ll need the documents mentioned above. If the name appearing on the documents doesn’t match, you’ll need to provide additional supporting documents indicating a change of your name.

You’ll need to use a smartphone with a good camera to verify that you are indeed the individual in your identity paperwork. After verifying your identity, you can move to the next phase in the application. You can save the work and proceed later.

If you want, you can use the offline application method for identity verification.

How long does it take to process the application?

The application processing timeline varies. Some NDIS applications might be processed within days; others will take weeks or months. Please understand the time it takes to process an application duration doesn’t mean an individual has a  criminal record or if they will get a negative response.

The screening unit relies on external organisations for details such as criminal history and other records. This will impact the processing duration and isn’t within the screening unit’s control.

The check can take longer due to some reasons, such as:

• Having the same name, or sharinga common name and date of birth with another person
• Having old police info that needs manual collection and data processing of hard copies
• Requiring details from different states and territory companies that must be verified before being released to the screening unit

Most individuals can return to work in risk-assessed roles for registered NDIS providers on pending valid applications. However, this doesn’t apply if you’ve been an interim bar.

If the check is successful, you’ll receive an email informing you about your NDIS clearance. The NDIS clearance status will be documented on the NDIS commission’s NWSD (National Worker Screening Database).

You won’t get a certificate or a card. Your company can check the NDIS clearance status on the NWSD at any time. All registered NDIS providers must link employees to their company via the NDS commission online portal.

Your Questions, Our Expertise – Contact Us for NDIS Support!

If you have any questions about NDIS plan management, please call us at 1800 63 63 77 or email us at info@ndsp.com.au. Register for Plan Management Sign Uptoday!